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The Day Death Stopped
Desperation is the most dangerous type of magic.
An out-of-control spell isn't her problem.
Listen. Claire Bishop is Las Vegas's greatest stage magician, and she's perfectly happy with that fame. Ozarik is the next Zaro, the leader of the world's witches, the modern-day Darcy everyone swoons over. Just because Claire shares a Zaro's unfathomable magic doesn't mean she shares the responsibility.
So, if Ozarik wants to make himself a villain by casting an ultra-dangerous spell to stop death on Earth "for her," to "protect her," that sounds like a him-problem. Claire has a show in four hours. Skipping it to save the world might give her manager a heart attack.
Ozarik may be her friend, but it sounds like a lot of work.
Ugh. Fine.
An out-of-control spell isn't her problem.
Listen. Claire Bishop is Las Vegas's greatest stage magician, and she's perfectly happy with that fame. Ozarik is the next Zaro, the leader of the world's witches, the modern-day Darcy everyone swoons over. Just because Claire shares a Zaro's unfathomable magic doesn't mean she shares the responsibility.
So, if Ozarik wants to make himself a villain by casting an ultra-dangerous spell to stop death on Earth "for her," to "protect her," that sounds like a him-problem. Claire has a show in four hours. Skipping it to save the world might give her manager a heart attack.
Ozarik may be her friend, but it sounds like a lot of work.
Ugh. Fine.
336 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2023
56 people are currently reading
2091 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Thorne
14 books1,958 followersRebecca Thorne is a USA Today, Indie, and Sunday Times Bestselling author, specializing in fantasy and sci-fi with romantic subplots.
She is a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, lives near Denver, Colorado, and uses her ADHD as a superpower to write multiple books a year. When she’s not writing (or avoiding writing), Rebecca can be found traveling the country as a flight attendant, hiking with her dogs and lovely fiancée, or basking in the sun like a lizard.
She is a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, lives near Denver, Colorado, and uses her ADHD as a superpower to write multiple books a year. When she’s not writing (or avoiding writing), Rebecca can be found traveling the country as a flight attendant, hiking with her dogs and lovely fiancée, or basking in the sun like a lizard.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
June 9, 2024
4.5
Asexual main character!!!
This is such a unique book. The writing and timeline made is really interesting. The characters are morally grey and they felt super realistic.
I loved it!
It's also a heavy book because there are scènes with child abuse.
Asexual main character!!!
This is such a unique book. The writing and timeline made is really interesting. The characters are morally grey and they felt super realistic.
I loved it!
It's also a heavy book because there are scènes with child abuse.
March 14, 2024
This book is so unlike anything I’ve ever read and I loved every minute of it. Rebecca has created a story with such realistic characters. I love that Reiki, Claire, and Ozarik are so incredibly human you can see them all trying to do the best they can with the information and experiences they have. These character are flawed, but they don’t fit a hero or a villain role which I love so much. They’re living in that messy gray area that life sometimes throws everyone’s way.
October 17, 2023
4⭐️ This is not just a book, it is a whole reading experience! One of the most interestingly written fantasy books I have ever come across. We start at the end and then constantly jump timelines until we collect all the puzzle pieces to see the whole picture.
(Hint: You may need to tab the timelines before you start reading like I did to keep track easily)
The Day Death Stopped is set in a world where humans and witches co-exist, seemingly well, and it’s the Zaro who heads the witch community to ensure things run smoothly.
The story is told by a quirky, sometimes snarky narrator who has the inside scoop on all the characters and likes to add footnotes so that we really understand their thoughts!
We follow three main characters, the Zaro (Reiki), and two future Zaros, (Ozarik and Claire). Now, Ozarik is in the privileged position of being groomed to be the next Zaro with the support, training and tools, and he wants it. While Claire has been left to her own devices, suffering a difficult childhood and has decided this role is not for her.
All of the characters we come across in this story are flawed, there’s no heroes here… but, there’s also no evil villain. Each character sees the world through the lense that their experiences have created for them, and they all believe that they are right.
Except for Claire, who sees herself as bad, as someone unworthy, as selfish and materialistic… all the things a Zaro who serves their people should never be. Yet she is the one character who seems to act with empathy and kindness when others choose to see only their own insular perspectives.
Now, we know that death has been stopped, but the consequences of this action, the reasons behind it’s happening and how it could possibly be fixed all comes out in the journey.
I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure which takes us around the world, yet feels like only a snapshot on time.
(Hint: You may need to tab the timelines before you start reading like I did to keep track easily)
The Day Death Stopped is set in a world where humans and witches co-exist, seemingly well, and it’s the Zaro who heads the witch community to ensure things run smoothly.
The story is told by a quirky, sometimes snarky narrator who has the inside scoop on all the characters and likes to add footnotes so that we really understand their thoughts!
We follow three main characters, the Zaro (Reiki), and two future Zaros, (Ozarik and Claire). Now, Ozarik is in the privileged position of being groomed to be the next Zaro with the support, training and tools, and he wants it. While Claire has been left to her own devices, suffering a difficult childhood and has decided this role is not for her.
All of the characters we come across in this story are flawed, there’s no heroes here… but, there’s also no evil villain. Each character sees the world through the lense that their experiences have created for them, and they all believe that they are right.
Except for Claire, who sees herself as bad, as someone unworthy, as selfish and materialistic… all the things a Zaro who serves their people should never be. Yet she is the one character who seems to act with empathy and kindness when others choose to see only their own insular perspectives.
Now, we know that death has been stopped, but the consequences of this action, the reasons behind it’s happening and how it could possibly be fixed all comes out in the journey.
I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure which takes us around the world, yet feels like only a snapshot on time.
February 2, 2025
Unique! This story had such an interesting style with footnotes with further information like a text book. The ending had an interesting twist to it too! A great read! I highly recommend this one!
October 14, 2023
In a world where there are magicians with small powers, and normal humans - One magician, a Zaro- in every lifetime reins supreme. So what happens when there are 2? And not only are there 2...But they are connected by magic?
Both children have the ability to be the next leader, and while they each have their own store of magic, they have a link that allows them to pull and share their magic - whether they intend to or not.
This story made me love and hate it.
Oz was a beloved child who was destined to be the next Zaro.
Or was he?
Claire was also born with the power to be a Zaro, but she was neglected and mistreated by every adult in her life.
I can't even put into words how much I hated Reiki, the Zaro who chose to blatantly lie at every opportunity and ignore Claire. Then to be like...oops, I MIGHT have been wrong...all those years later.
I saw a review that called Claire a bad person. And I have to disagree. She wanted to be good, and when given a choice - she WAS good. She helped people. But she rarely got the chance. Every adult in her life failed her. Her father most of all, sure...but second was Reiki. And that was the most heartbreaking of all. She was also only 19. For all that she accomplished at such a young age (forced to grow up), I was impressed. She leaned into morally grey areas, because she learned early on that NO ONE could be trusted, and NO ONE would help her. Except her. And maybe Oz. But there were limits to his help too.
Oz was the golden child, but he was emotional and weak. He never stood up for Claire, and never upset the status quo. He loved her, but also took her for granted. Despite her being better and stronger at magic - he was the first. So he was the future.
The time skips and jumping around really annoyed me. I think it would have been better if there were more linear jumps to the past/present, but the approximate times before the EVENT for each chapter were entertaining.
Both children have the ability to be the next leader, and while they each have their own store of magic, they have a link that allows them to pull and share their magic - whether they intend to or not.
This story made me love and hate it.
Oz was a beloved child who was destined to be the next Zaro.
Or was he?
Claire was also born with the power to be a Zaro, but she was neglected and mistreated by every adult in her life.
I can't even put into words how much I hated Reiki, the Zaro who chose to blatantly lie at every opportunity and ignore Claire. Then to be like...oops, I MIGHT have been wrong...all those years later.
I saw a review that called Claire a bad person. And I have to disagree. She wanted to be good, and when given a choice - she WAS good. She helped people. But she rarely got the chance. Every adult in her life failed her. Her father most of all, sure...but second was Reiki. And that was the most heartbreaking of all. She was also only 19. For all that she accomplished at such a young age (forced to grow up), I was impressed. She leaned into morally grey areas, because she learned early on that NO ONE could be trusted, and NO ONE would help her. Except her. And maybe Oz. But there were limits to his help too.
Oz was the golden child, but he was emotional and weak. He never stood up for Claire, and never upset the status quo. He loved her, but also took her for granted. Despite her being better and stronger at magic - he was the first. So he was the future.
The time skips and jumping around really annoyed me. I think it would have been better if there were more linear jumps to the past/present, but the approximate times before the EVENT for each chapter were entertaining.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2024
While I love Rebecca Thorne and have torn through her other books (Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea and it’s sequel, and This Guilded Abyss), it took me FIVE tries to get to 25% in The Day Death Stopped! And because I felt like things were just sliding off me - I started from the beginning again, and again, and again. And yet - when I got past 25% the book finally stuck. It still took a while before I cared about a lot of stuff, but by the end I was fully engaged. But did I like it? Kinda - but I had issues.
The writing itself continues to show remarkable growth over a fairly short period - the depth of prose and imagery is absolutely wonderful.
The pacing was a struggle. The constant time jumps reminded me of that infamous cafe scene in Bohemian Rhapsody with 60 cuts in 1.5 minutes! I accept the design choice to bounce around the threads of time, but making it so constant resulted in difficulty getting attached to the characters.
Speaking of which - I think there was a romance? I say that jokingly, but for an author who penned such amazing romances in her other books, this felt like it would have been better left as best friends. Because THAT worked.
Ultimately I had a number of issues with this book and it is my least favorite book for one of my favorite recent authors. But it took an amazing and courageous leap - and if that reach exceeded its grasp, that is OK. It remains a highly recommended ambitious work.
The writing itself continues to show remarkable growth over a fairly short period - the depth of prose and imagery is absolutely wonderful.
The pacing was a struggle. The constant time jumps reminded me of that infamous cafe scene in Bohemian Rhapsody with 60 cuts in 1.5 minutes! I accept the design choice to bounce around the threads of time, but making it so constant resulted in difficulty getting attached to the characters.
Speaking of which - I think there was a romance? I say that jokingly, but for an author who penned such amazing romances in her other books, this felt like it would have been better left as best friends. Because THAT worked.
Ultimately I had a number of issues with this book and it is my least favorite book for one of my favorite recent authors. But it took an amazing and courageous leap - and if that reach exceeded its grasp, that is OK. It remains a highly recommended ambitious work.
featured
June 25, 2024https://www.tumblr.com/aspeccharacter...
Claire Bishop from the The Day Death Stopped is asexual!
Claire Bishop from the The Day Death Stopped is asexual!
July 16, 2025
Rebecca Thorne says this is her best book and I have to agree. So well written, an interesting plot and characters to love and hate in equal measure.
Moving back and forth in time, Claire's story of magic, power sharing and her need to be more than people think she is, becomes out of control when her friend Ozarik casts a spell that stops death....for the world! Oops. That's not good!
Moira Quirk excels (as she always does) with the narration on the audiobook and I highly recommend this format!
my rating is 4.5 rounded for GR
Moving back and forth in time, Claire's story of magic, power sharing and her need to be more than people think she is, becomes out of control when her friend Ozarik casts a spell that stops death....for the world! Oops. That's not good!
Moira Quirk excels (as she always does) with the narration on the audiobook and I highly recommend this format!
my rating is 4.5 rounded for GR
December 16, 2023
This was such a fun story from one of my favourite authors. The ending ripped my heart into pieces 💔
February 7, 2025
I really loved this. I love the way the plot unfolded and the way the characters developed. I am also definitely a sucker for a good dual time line which The Day Death Stopped definitely had.
November 30, 2023
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
If you've been looking for a book that gives you Good Omens vibes this is for you. The Day Death Stopped has that similar wry humor and world view. The kind where there's sarcasm and wisdom mixed in one. The Day Death Stopped manages this vibe with characters who aren't afraid to poke holes at the worst times and also footnotes! It's a book that asks us about power and motivations. About well placed intentions in the wrong place. All the ways people can fail us and whether we can find it in our heart to rise up anyway.
If you've been looking for a book that gives you Good Omens vibes this is for you. The Day Death Stopped has that similar wry humor and world view. The kind where there's sarcasm and wisdom mixed in one. The Day Death Stopped manages this vibe with characters who aren't afraid to poke holes at the worst times and also footnotes! It's a book that asks us about power and motivations. About well placed intentions in the wrong place. All the ways people can fail us and whether we can find it in our heart to rise up anyway.
September 11, 2024
The Day Death Stopped is an intense story about how adoration and situation can cause the most dedicated to lose sight of what's necessary.
Claire and Ozarik share magic, an unprecedented situation for the future leader of witches. And what's unknown is often seen as dangerous.
Through omniscient point of view, Claire navigates parental abuse, Ozarik fields grief in an interesting way, and Zaro Reiki tries to guide her replacements in a well-meaning but ultimately wrong way. Claire and Ozarik *could* have worked together. Until the day death stopped.
Loved the asexual rep from Claire.
Claire and Ozarik share magic, an unprecedented situation for the future leader of witches. And what's unknown is often seen as dangerous.
Through omniscient point of view, Claire navigates parental abuse, Ozarik fields grief in an interesting way, and Zaro Reiki tries to guide her replacements in a well-meaning but ultimately wrong way. Claire and Ozarik *could* have worked together. Until the day death stopped.
Loved the asexual rep from Claire.
October 22, 2025
This book is delightful & heart-rending. The writing style is quirky - in the best way. The characters are lovably flawed. The ace rep is well done while not taking over the plot in the slightest - something few books I’ve read can boast. All of this made it a refreshing read. On top of that, the audiobook narrator was wonderful. Highly recommend for a cozy, fun, albeit moderately solemn, read.
PS. The timeline jumps around - kinda like Vicious by V.E. Schwab. As a result, it took me ever-so-slightly longer to sink into the story. But ultimately, I really appreciated that mode of story telling. It led to multiple a-ha moments that added to my overall enjoyment.
PS. The timeline jumps around - kinda like Vicious by V.E. Schwab. As a result, it took me ever-so-slightly longer to sink into the story. But ultimately, I really appreciated that mode of story telling. It led to multiple a-ha moments that added to my overall enjoyment.
December 24, 2023
4.5 stars
I really wanted to like this story, and I ended up loving it! I’ve been a big fan of the author since Treason and Tea, and while this novel is dramatically different than that cozy story, her style and rhythm shines through. The only reason I didn’t give it five stars was because of the chapter endnotes. While many of them were amusing and additive, on more than one occasion it pulled me out of the story and it would take a few pages of the next chapter to fully immerse myself again.
I really wanted to like this story, and I ended up loving it! I’ve been a big fan of the author since Treason and Tea, and while this novel is dramatically different than that cozy story, her style and rhythm shines through. The only reason I didn’t give it five stars was because of the chapter endnotes. While many of them were amusing and additive, on more than one occasion it pulled me out of the story and it would take a few pages of the next chapter to fully immerse myself again.
March 20, 2024
3.5/5 stars
Oh my gosh... I wanted more from this book! I've heard so much positive about this book and the premice was so interesting... but the book is more about 2 witches growing up, and the drama and the abuse they live in, than death actually stopping.
Don't get me wrong : I absolutely love the dynamic between Claire and Ozaric, I really liked Claire as a character and I loved that things did not go in the expected direction, that the author avoided the the clichés and went somewhere else.
But I didn't really feel the love story. And most of the book was annoying to me because I wanted to get to the death stopping part. I didn't really like the rythm. That's where it lost points for me.
Finally, let's talk about the end of page notes. They are waaaay to frequent in the first chapters, but are more manageable in the rest of the book. I liked what they brought and they were mostly funny, but I wish they were more well distributed.
Oh my gosh... I wanted more from this book! I've heard so much positive about this book and the premice was so interesting... but the book is more about 2 witches growing up, and the drama and the abuse they live in, than death actually stopping.
Don't get me wrong : I absolutely love the dynamic between Claire and Ozaric, I really liked Claire as a character and I loved that things did not go in the expected direction, that the author avoided the the clichés and went somewhere else.
But I didn't really feel the love story. And most of the book was annoying to me because I wanted to get to the death stopping part. I didn't really like the rythm. That's where it lost points for me.
Finally, let's talk about the end of page notes. They are waaaay to frequent in the first chapters, but are more manageable in the rest of the book. I liked what they brought and they were mostly funny, but I wish they were more well distributed.
March 24, 2025
4.5
I dont remember how I happened across this book, but I'm glad I did. The story was unique and engaging. It utilized a non-linear timeline in a really effective way that I felt added to the story rather than distracted from it. The characters were realistically flawed, and I felt like I understood and cared about them. I also really enjoyed the system of magic.
I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did a really wonderful job of bringing the story to life.
I dont remember how I happened across this book, but I'm glad I did. The story was unique and engaging. It utilized a non-linear timeline in a really effective way that I felt added to the story rather than distracted from it. The characters were realistically flawed, and I felt like I understood and cared about them. I also really enjoyed the system of magic.
I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did a really wonderful job of bringing the story to life.
Read
September 25, 2024I've been avoiding reading it for almost a year and can't bring myself to finish it. I might decide to pick it up again later, though, but for now, I really want to stop seeing this book in my currently reading tab.
March 5, 2025
Not never again but not for me... I really like her other books, this one feels very different. Some of the footnotes were nice others felt obnoxious.
March 15, 2024
I honestly don't even know what to say about this, except that it's been weeks since I finished it & I'm still craving grape soda. 🍇🥤
July 20, 2024
The most frustrating book I’ve read all year, with an added dose of misguided Orientalism.
It’s hard making a protagonist whose entire arc is about her childhood abuse. But it’s even harder when the real villain of this book is God, and God has neglected to help Claire for an entire NINETEEN years. Not one bad decision, but many.
Another problem about this book is that it wants me to feel sorry for the poor mediocre man born into privilege, who does nothing to earn that privilege. If I wanted that story, I’d turn on the news.
There is also a strange aside where a Vietnamese character is assumed to disapprove of gambling, simply because he is Vietnamese. There’s a difference between the government outlawing certain forms of gambling and the entire population of a country, almost 100 million people not counting overseas migrants, agreeing with that moral choice. During Prohibition, would you assume every American was anti-alcohol just based on their nationality? This story makes as much sense as that assumption.
This book is a good example of why authors need sensitivity readers who have the courage to challenge them. I don’t know if the book had sensitivity readers, because the audiobook omits the acknowledgement section, but even if it had readers and they raised objections, authors don’t always follow them. It’s a huge work of emotional labour to challenge someone, especially if that someone is a bestselling author.
I’m unsurprised but also annoyed no one else seems to have identified these issues in their reviews, but it’s 2024. Authors can and must do better than this.
I also loved Moira Quirk's narration of The Locked Tomb series, but she seems a bit off her game this time. Maybe the omniscient condescending narrator is even worse and more condescending in the text form, but I'm not going to reread to find out.
It’s hard making a protagonist whose entire arc is about her childhood abuse. But it’s even harder when the real villain of this book is God, and God has neglected to help Claire for an entire NINETEEN years. Not one bad decision, but many.
Another problem about this book is that it wants me to feel sorry for the poor mediocre man born into privilege, who does nothing to earn that privilege. If I wanted that story, I’d turn on the news.
There is also a strange aside where a Vietnamese character is assumed to disapprove of gambling, simply because he is Vietnamese. There’s a difference between the government outlawing certain forms of gambling and the entire population of a country, almost 100 million people not counting overseas migrants, agreeing with that moral choice. During Prohibition, would you assume every American was anti-alcohol just based on their nationality? This story makes as much sense as that assumption.
This book is a good example of why authors need sensitivity readers who have the courage to challenge them. I don’t know if the book had sensitivity readers, because the audiobook omits the acknowledgement section, but even if it had readers and they raised objections, authors don’t always follow them. It’s a huge work of emotional labour to challenge someone, especially if that someone is a bestselling author.
I’m unsurprised but also annoyed no one else seems to have identified these issues in their reviews, but it’s 2024. Authors can and must do better than this.
I also loved Moira Quirk's narration of The Locked Tomb series, but she seems a bit off her game this time. Maybe the omniscient condescending narrator is even worse and more condescending in the text form, but I'm not going to reread to find out.
December 17, 2025
Rating: 4.5 (rounded up)
The Day Death Stopped is a book about profoundly flawed characters who do their best and still, despite trying, make mistakes and missteps. This book felt real despite the fantastical world, because Thorne included some of the horrible parts of Claire's childhood, and didn't shy away from Claire's feelings about it, Reiki's feelings despite it, or the way that it shaped her character as a whole. (And on that note, please check content warnings before reading, if you think something may not be up your alley).
I found this book's audiobook on Spotify and was first captivated by the title and cover, then by the author. I've read Thorne's "Tomes and Tea" series, as well as This Gilded Abyss, and know that I enjoy her writing style and the depth she gives her characters. But this particular book shocked me with the depth put into each character's story, the way everything meshes together, and the concept of the "Butterfly effect" that permeates this book... The idea that every action can have myriad of intended and unintended consequences is a key part of this narrative.
I can't say I liked all the characters in this book for who they were... Truly only Henry seemed to be a fully, morally 'right' character, but I did appreciate them all for what they brought to the story, and Thorne for giving them each a rich history with each other. Despite that history sometimes being riddled with poor choices and heartache, I loved exploring the third person point of view that swept around between our main cast.
The narrative in this book does skip around - forward and backward, and from one side of the globe to another - but I found this beneficial in bringing together pertinent events without making myself as the reader remember what decisions may have caused other repercussions. As a storytelling device, the variable timeline and general nexus of the 'day that death stopped' as a point to anchor other dates to was compelling and cohesive enough for me to follow.
Lastly, and one of my favorite aspects of the novel, was the magic system. Where magic is usually defined as 'work hard enough and you'll learn more spells', Thorne's explanation of magic in this urban magic/magical realism environment is more sentient, more centered on the magic itself than the users. They might be in control of their magic most of the time, but for Reiki, Claire, and Ozarik, their ability to channel magic through different outlets and in different ways -while still needing to reflect on their consequences - as well as the necessity to put structures in place to prevent spells from going wild... it was a refreshing take and kept anyone from verging into "fix it all" territory. These characters are flawed and not always as powerful as they would like. And they know that intimately.
If you enjoyed Thorne's other books, this would definitely be a good read, but keep in mind it's much darker in subject matter than the "Tomes and Tea" series especially, and has fewer healthy relationships in it than This Gilded Abyss. If you like Martha Wells' stories, or Tamsyn Muir's, then I think you would enjoy The Day Death Stopped.
But don't take my word for it - see for yourself!
The Day Death Stopped is a book about profoundly flawed characters who do their best and still, despite trying, make mistakes and missteps. This book felt real despite the fantastical world, because Thorne included some of the horrible parts of Claire's childhood, and didn't shy away from Claire's feelings about it, Reiki's feelings despite it, or the way that it shaped her character as a whole. (And on that note, please check content warnings before reading, if you think something may not be up your alley).
I found this book's audiobook on Spotify and was first captivated by the title and cover, then by the author. I've read Thorne's "Tomes and Tea" series, as well as This Gilded Abyss, and know that I enjoy her writing style and the depth she gives her characters. But this particular book shocked me with the depth put into each character's story, the way everything meshes together, and the concept of the "Butterfly effect" that permeates this book... The idea that every action can have myriad of intended and unintended consequences is a key part of this narrative.
I can't say I liked all the characters in this book for who they were... Truly only Henry seemed to be a fully, morally 'right' character, but I did appreciate them all for what they brought to the story, and Thorne for giving them each a rich history with each other. Despite that history sometimes being riddled with poor choices and heartache, I loved exploring the third person point of view that swept around between our main cast.
The narrative in this book does skip around - forward and backward, and from one side of the globe to another - but I found this beneficial in bringing together pertinent events without making myself as the reader remember what decisions may have caused other repercussions. As a storytelling device, the variable timeline and general nexus of the 'day that death stopped' as a point to anchor other dates to was compelling and cohesive enough for me to follow.
Lastly, and one of my favorite aspects of the novel, was the magic system. Where magic is usually defined as 'work hard enough and you'll learn more spells', Thorne's explanation of magic in this urban magic/magical realism environment is more sentient, more centered on the magic itself than the users. They might be in control of their magic most of the time, but for Reiki, Claire, and Ozarik, their ability to channel magic through different outlets and in different ways -while still needing to reflect on their consequences - as well as the necessity to put structures in place to prevent spells from going wild... it was a refreshing take and kept anyone from verging into "fix it all" territory. These characters are flawed and not always as powerful as they would like. And they know that intimately.
If you enjoyed Thorne's other books, this would definitely be a good read, but keep in mind it's much darker in subject matter than the "Tomes and Tea" series especially, and has fewer healthy relationships in it than This Gilded Abyss. If you like Martha Wells' stories, or Tamsyn Muir's, then I think you would enjoy The Day Death Stopped.
But don't take my word for it - see for yourself!
February 1, 2024
3.5 (low 4 stars)
This book had potential to being a 5 star read for me and a new favorite
I loved the characters. They felt very real; having flaws , making mistakes , showing fear and insecurities. I really enjoyed reading and following Claire's , Ozarik's and Reiki's story. I wish i could have seen more.
The world was also great, it was an alternative modern day earth just with a small percentage of the population being witches (people who are born with an unique ability like breathing under water, feeling peoples emotions etc). In this world every generation a witch is born with massive power and grows to be their leader trained by the previous leader until they die to pass the mantel on to the next (picture the avatar from avatar the last airbender but as a witch in modern earth). I found the world intriguing, the more i read the more i wanted to know about the world. I wanted to get to know Reiki the current Zaro (witch leader), but not just her the world made me want to know about the Zaro's before her. I would love to see more in this world.
This books plot follows Claire, Ozarik's ex-lover, childhood friend, partner and other half . Ozarik is dealing with taking over for Reiki as her prized pupal and is not doing so well. So Claire his other half who has the potential to also be a Zaro but has been forced in the shadows has to now pick up the pieces and try and salvage the mess to stop the world from going into chaos. Overall , this plot was very intriguing and i very much enjoyed the story.
As a warning for readers the book is not written as a straight timeline, the chapters go back and forth through the different events (past and present) to explain what happened in the past and how it caused the future events. The chapters are also not always focusing on one character but will be the past or present of different character's. I originally did not think i would enjoy this, thinking I might get confused going back and forth but surprisingly Rebecca throne did a great job and it was enjoyable to read. It was very well thought out.
The only reason after all i have mention that this book is not a 5 star for me , was the editing and one major plot whole that really annoyed me. This is a self published book so some of the minor editing errors i ignored , because even in traditional published books there are small things that can be missed. My main issue was a particular plot point that was major for the story but was never explained properly only briefly mentioned here or there. Near the end it really took me out of the story because i kept asking myself where is this from why is this "magical book so important". The author sort of covers this by adding extra content at the end of the book (after the epilogue) to explain this historical figure / grimoire but i think that info should have been in the main story, maybe a paragraph at the beginning of each ch or a flash back chapter something. It really took me out of the story for the last 50 ish pages because i thought i missed something.
Overall . I look forward to seeing Rebecca Thorne continue to write stories and grow as an author.
This book had potential to being a 5 star read for me and a new favorite
I loved the characters. They felt very real; having flaws , making mistakes , showing fear and insecurities. I really enjoyed reading and following Claire's , Ozarik's and Reiki's story. I wish i could have seen more.
The world was also great, it was an alternative modern day earth just with a small percentage of the population being witches (people who are born with an unique ability like breathing under water, feeling peoples emotions etc). In this world every generation a witch is born with massive power and grows to be their leader trained by the previous leader until they die to pass the mantel on to the next (picture the avatar from avatar the last airbender but as a witch in modern earth). I found the world intriguing, the more i read the more i wanted to know about the world. I wanted to get to know Reiki the current Zaro (witch leader), but not just her the world made me want to know about the Zaro's before her. I would love to see more in this world.
This books plot follows Claire, Ozarik's ex-lover, childhood friend, partner and other half . Ozarik is dealing with taking over for Reiki as her prized pupal and is not doing so well. So Claire his other half who has the potential to also be a Zaro but has been forced in the shadows has to now pick up the pieces and try and salvage the mess to stop the world from going into chaos. Overall , this plot was very intriguing and i very much enjoyed the story.
As a warning for readers the book is not written as a straight timeline, the chapters go back and forth through the different events (past and present) to explain what happened in the past and how it caused the future events. The chapters are also not always focusing on one character but will be the past or present of different character's. I originally did not think i would enjoy this, thinking I might get confused going back and forth but surprisingly Rebecca throne did a great job and it was enjoyable to read. It was very well thought out.
The only reason after all i have mention that this book is not a 5 star for me , was the editing and one major plot whole that really annoyed me. This is a self published book so some of the minor editing errors i ignored , because even in traditional published books there are small things that can be missed. My main issue was a particular plot point that was major for the story but was never explained properly only briefly mentioned here or there. Near the end it really took me out of the story because i kept asking myself where is this from why is this "magical book so important". The author sort of covers this by adding extra content at the end of the book (after the epilogue) to explain this historical figure / grimoire but i think that info should have been in the main story, maybe a paragraph at the beginning of each ch or a flash back chapter something. It really took me out of the story for the last 50 ish pages because i thought i missed something.
Overall . I look forward to seeing Rebecca Thorne continue to write stories and grow as an author.
October 8, 2023
I have to say I really hated and loved the book at the same time. I think the book is supremely flawed, both on purpose and by accident. I dislike how everyone is misidentifying and categorizing Claire as morally grey. Morally Grey actually means a character who tries to do the right thing all the time and ends up failing. Thus, they give into bad actions and decisions instead, as there is nothing else they can do. They have failed in their attempts to be good, and their actions instead cause harm when they mean well. This is not Claire.
This is however Oz.
Claire is incredibly selfish. She is a person who does things only for herself. She has been burned a million ways, and since she was five years old, she has decided this means the only person she will care about is herself. And all the way until 220-240 pages in it stays that way. Then we see there have been a few tiny moments in her life she has done good, and meant to do it. But the difference is this is a bad person choosing to do a few good things. Here or there, very minorly. But these things don't make her good.
The characters were horrible and selfish in every single instance. They needed to be kind and think about other people's needs by putting them first. And it is this way right up until the later part of the book, they were more than flawed humans in most instances they were doing the wrong things at every turn, selfish to the very max I want to give examples but I don't want to spoil.
I loved watching the twists and turns of this novel.
I loved the effort put into this well-crafted show Rebecca put on for us... But I hated the characters, not a single one of them was likable, and the last 1/4th of the book did nothing to make up for the first 3/4's of it.
If you can go into this story with the understanding that everyone sucks here, everyone is a bad person and you can just appreciate the story for the amazing craftmanship and the wonderful story she told. Then and only then do I recommend this novel to anyone who is okay with bad people doing bad things. Because they are selfish and bad people. This book is the very example of I will burn the world down. Only Rebecca took that version and said, BET, I will burn the world down and then I will crank up the heat as it explodes. It is fantastically written in such a way that despite everyone being horrible; you are oddly excited to get to the ending to watch things burn. You are almost cheering for their demise. And as you stand there burning you realize hmm, it wasn't worth it at all, and yet at the same time, boy, am I glad I experienced the ride.
Also, if you have a trigger for family abuse and harm, then I suggest reading something else.
That is basically the whole storyline backbone of the novel. If none of those things turns you off, then read this book because it is a sure as heck damn good one. Well done Rebecca!
This is however Oz.
Claire is incredibly selfish. She is a person who does things only for herself. She has been burned a million ways, and since she was five years old, she has decided this means the only person she will care about is herself. And all the way until 220-240 pages in it stays that way. Then we see there have been a few tiny moments in her life she has done good, and meant to do it. But the difference is this is a bad person choosing to do a few good things. Here or there, very minorly. But these things don't make her good.
The characters were horrible and selfish in every single instance. They needed to be kind and think about other people's needs by putting them first. And it is this way right up until the later part of the book, they were more than flawed humans in most instances they were doing the wrong things at every turn, selfish to the very max I want to give examples but I don't want to spoil.
I loved watching the twists and turns of this novel.
I loved the effort put into this well-crafted show Rebecca put on for us... But I hated the characters, not a single one of them was likable, and the last 1/4th of the book did nothing to make up for the first 3/4's of it.
If you can go into this story with the understanding that everyone sucks here, everyone is a bad person and you can just appreciate the story for the amazing craftmanship and the wonderful story she told. Then and only then do I recommend this novel to anyone who is okay with bad people doing bad things. Because they are selfish and bad people. This book is the very example of I will burn the world down. Only Rebecca took that version and said, BET, I will burn the world down and then I will crank up the heat as it explodes. It is fantastically written in such a way that despite everyone being horrible; you are oddly excited to get to the ending to watch things burn. You are almost cheering for their demise. And as you stand there burning you realize hmm, it wasn't worth it at all, and yet at the same time, boy, am I glad I experienced the ride.
Also, if you have a trigger for family abuse and harm, then I suggest reading something else.
That is basically the whole storyline backbone of the novel. If none of those things turns you off, then read this book because it is a sure as heck damn good one. Well done Rebecca!
October 30, 2024
This was such an amazing read (listen since I only had the audiobook available). The premise is one we have heard a thousand times before since Harry Potter came into popularity, a world similar to our own but with magic entwined with our society. There were so many things that made me fall in love with this book: the plot, the witty narration, the characters and so much more.
The Plot:
In this world mages have limited potential for magic except for the Zaro, leader of the world's witches, who carries an immense amount of power and responsibility. There is always one Zaro at a time until the next one is born, and the powers are slowly transferred to the new one, that is until the current Zaro Reiki discovers two babies that are magically tied to become the next Zaro: Ozarik and Claire. Reiki makes the unilateral decision to raise Oz as the new Zaro while keeping a distance on Claire, regardless of if it leaves her in a dangerous environment. Eventually, Reiki dies and passes the mantel to Oz who does not feel prepared for the responsibility and still hurt from Reiki's passing casts a spell over the entire world to stop death.
The narration:
This book is told from the POV of almost all characters with witty injections from an anonymous narrator who has a lot of insights into the minds of the speakers. Our main central character is of course Claire.
The Characters:
As I said, Claire is the character we spent the most amount of time with. And her entire backstory throughout the book shows us how the adults in her life have failed her every single time. First both of her biological parents through their neglect and eventual abuse, then Reiki in order to hide from her own guilt and justify her absent treatment of Claire's life, and any other adult we see Claire interact with through the flashbacks. Ozarik is someone I initially overlooked as someone that was just on the periphery of Claire's story but when I reflected on it he is such a well written character, he is Claire's foil by having not only been born into a well off, mostly loving family and with all the attention from his mentor. But even though we don't usually focus on his earlier development directly through him, the notes let us take a deeper peek into his backstory and providing great foundation for his character for the rest of the book and an explanation for his misguided actions. Lastly, we have Reiki. Reiki is such a complex character since we are mostly in Claire's POV its so easy to hate her but throughout the novel we get a look at the inside of her thoughts and reasoning for her actions and behavior, which still doesn't justify them, but provides a clear internal conflict that is incredible to read.
Finally, this book was almost perfect to me, I would rate it higher if it had shifted between the characters more seamlessly and had the focus be on all 3 Zaros not only on Claire (even though she is my favorite and I love her).
The Plot:
In this world mages have limited potential for magic except for the Zaro, leader of the world's witches, who carries an immense amount of power and responsibility. There is always one Zaro at a time until the next one is born, and the powers are slowly transferred to the new one, that is until the current Zaro Reiki discovers two babies that are magically tied to become the next Zaro: Ozarik and Claire. Reiki makes the unilateral decision to raise Oz as the new Zaro while keeping a distance on Claire, regardless of if it leaves her in a dangerous environment. Eventually, Reiki dies and passes the mantel to Oz who does not feel prepared for the responsibility and still hurt from Reiki's passing casts a spell over the entire world to stop death.
The narration:
This book is told from the POV of almost all characters with witty injections from an anonymous narrator who has a lot of insights into the minds of the speakers. Our main central character is of course Claire.
The Characters:
As I said, Claire is the character we spent the most amount of time with. And her entire backstory throughout the book shows us how the adults in her life have failed her every single time. First both of her biological parents through their neglect and eventual abuse, then Reiki in order to hide from her own guilt and justify her absent treatment of Claire's life, and any other adult we see Claire interact with through the flashbacks. Ozarik is someone I initially overlooked as someone that was just on the periphery of Claire's story but when I reflected on it he is such a well written character, he is Claire's foil by having not only been born into a well off, mostly loving family and with all the attention from his mentor. But even though we don't usually focus on his earlier development directly through him, the notes let us take a deeper peek into his backstory and providing great foundation for his character for the rest of the book and an explanation for his misguided actions. Lastly, we have Reiki. Reiki is such a complex character since we are mostly in Claire's POV its so easy to hate her but throughout the novel we get a look at the inside of her thoughts and reasoning for her actions and behavior, which still doesn't justify them, but provides a clear internal conflict that is incredible to read.
Finally, this book was almost perfect to me, I would rate it higher if it had shifted between the characters more seamlessly and had the focus be on all 3 Zaros not only on Claire (even though she is my favorite and I love her).
May 29, 2025
BEGGING people to give this book a shot.
Rebecca Thorne, known for her You Can't Spell Treason Without Tea cozy fantasy series, dropped this years before that blew up, and like a handful of people have read this and that's a CRIIIIIIME.
In truth, the story of this is a solid 4 star story, but it easily gets that 5th star because it's just SO unique. I also think the Goodreads description undersells it massively.
So here's my version.
Enter a world just like ours, except witches are real, and there's one big head honcho witch for the entire world - like the Dalai Lama - called the Zaro.
And every couple of decades a baby is born that will be the next with Dalai Lama, and the current ones powers slowly start to fade and are transferred to said baby, who will, eventually go to live with the other powerful witches and learn how to control their magic and be the best Zaro.
Only this time....two babies are born with the Zaro's magic. Not one.
And we follow this story, of how the first baby found is declared the next ruler, and the other gets hidden from the world. Only she doesn't want to be hidden from the world. And also, her hidden life is pretty damn terrible. She is begging for an ounce of love, for a glimmer of recognition as a human, let alone as a witch. For someone, ANYONE to see her. And the only person who does, is the person who has the ability to take her magic, to become the Zaro and leave her behind.
We cover years and years of these two children pulling and pushing magic from each other across the world, finally meeting, being two halves of each other, falling in love, being pulled apart, one deciding to be a Vegas magician, the other slowly descending into madness in order to save everyone they love.
This is both lighthearted and extremely heavy.
We see people make mistakes the way humans do, then justify it so they can live with themselves. We see someone who will literally stop death to save the person they love, and someone who will remove themselves from other's memories just to keep them safe.
Literally like nothing I've read before. Wholly unique. 5 stars to Rebecca Thorne and her ADHD brain for crafting this story.
Rebecca Thorne, known for her You Can't Spell Treason Without Tea cozy fantasy series, dropped this years before that blew up, and like a handful of people have read this and that's a CRIIIIIIME.
In truth, the story of this is a solid 4 star story, but it easily gets that 5th star because it's just SO unique. I also think the Goodreads description undersells it massively.
So here's my version.
Enter a world just like ours, except witches are real, and there's one big head honcho witch for the entire world - like the Dalai Lama - called the Zaro.
And every couple of decades a baby is born that will be the next with Dalai Lama, and the current ones powers slowly start to fade and are transferred to said baby, who will, eventually go to live with the other powerful witches and learn how to control their magic and be the best Zaro.
Only this time....two babies are born with the Zaro's magic. Not one.
And we follow this story, of how the first baby found is declared the next ruler, and the other gets hidden from the world. Only she doesn't want to be hidden from the world. And also, her hidden life is pretty damn terrible. She is begging for an ounce of love, for a glimmer of recognition as a human, let alone as a witch. For someone, ANYONE to see her. And the only person who does, is the person who has the ability to take her magic, to become the Zaro and leave her behind.
We cover years and years of these two children pulling and pushing magic from each other across the world, finally meeting, being two halves of each other, falling in love, being pulled apart, one deciding to be a Vegas magician, the other slowly descending into madness in order to save everyone they love.
This is both lighthearted and extremely heavy.
We see people make mistakes the way humans do, then justify it so they can live with themselves. We see someone who will literally stop death to save the person they love, and someone who will remove themselves from other's memories just to keep them safe.
Literally like nothing I've read before. Wholly unique. 5 stars to Rebecca Thorne and her ADHD brain for crafting this story.
October 9, 2023
Inaction is an action that can at times result in a greater harm. Ignoring a problem doesn’t make it go away.
This was the sin of Zaro Reiki; she realized her mistake far too late and died before it could be corrected.
Claire claims to be selfish but she is far from it. Instead she pretends to be, because it’s what’s expected from her. However, when the world and her loved ones need her the most she doesn’t hesitate to rise to the occasion. She was a child who was a problem only because she existed and because of that she wasn’t saved. She was failed by every adult in her life and wasn’t given the safe place to heal or belong. It should have never been her burden. Yet, she was the “bad one” who did the good thing and she was killed for it.
Meanwhile, Ozarik was the “good one”, the chosen one, the prince who was found first and given every opportunity to flourish. However, he ran away when the world needed him most. Ignoring a problem doesn’t make it go away. Yes, he was blinded by grief and corrupted love. He became very good at lying to himself to justify the unjustifiable (although his character arc/slide into descent a little questionable and I wish was better fleshed out).
Even so I love that the story is told out of order. I loved so much about the story, the backstory, and the potential that the world building had but didn’t fulfill. In hindsight, this is more of a book about grief, trauma and forbidden unrealized love. It’s messy, it’s human, it’s real. The apology that was too little too late was probably the most magical part of the story. I just wish that there was more. More to Ozarik, more magic, more to the conflict once death stopped, more to the world around them, and more to Claire’s path forward.
I found myself both heartbroken and unsatisfied with the resolution in this story. It seems so simple and devastating all at the same time. Overall, it was very much a good book and I enjoyed the witchy hunt. Although, I do think the spell book was ill explained in the book itself so I am glad that I participated.
Also I greatly enjoyed this style of narration.
This was the sin of Zaro Reiki; she realized her mistake far too late and died before it could be corrected.
Claire claims to be selfish but she is far from it. Instead she pretends to be, because it’s what’s expected from her. However, when the world and her loved ones need her the most she doesn’t hesitate to rise to the occasion. She was a child who was a problem only because she existed and because of that she wasn’t saved. She was failed by every adult in her life and wasn’t given the safe place to heal or belong. It should have never been her burden. Yet, she was the “bad one” who did the good thing and she was killed for it.
Meanwhile, Ozarik was the “good one”, the chosen one, the prince who was found first and given every opportunity to flourish. However, he ran away when the world needed him most. Ignoring a problem doesn’t make it go away. Yes, he was blinded by grief and corrupted love. He became very good at lying to himself to justify the unjustifiable (although his character arc/slide into descent a little questionable and I wish was better fleshed out).
Even so I love that the story is told out of order. I loved so much about the story, the backstory, and the potential that the world building had but didn’t fulfill. In hindsight, this is more of a book about grief, trauma and forbidden unrealized love. It’s messy, it’s human, it’s real. The apology that was too little too late was probably the most magical part of the story. I just wish that there was more. More to Ozarik, more magic, more to the conflict once death stopped, more to the world around them, and more to Claire’s path forward.
I found myself both heartbroken and unsatisfied with the resolution in this story. It seems so simple and devastating all at the same time. Overall, it was very much a good book and I enjoyed the witchy hunt. Although, I do think the spell book was ill explained in the book itself so I am glad that I participated.
Also I greatly enjoyed this style of narration.
October 4, 2023
This is a mesmerizing and unconventional journey into a parallel world where the lines between good and evil are delightfully blurred. Told in reverse, this novel takes readers on a thrilling ride through the life of a morally gray witch protagonist, Claire. All while guided by a snarky and captivating omniscient narrator.
Claire doesn't fit neatly into any traditional archetype, which makes her character all the more fascinating. Her morally ambiguous actions and decisions keep you guessing, forcing you to question your own judgments.
What truly sets this book apart is its unique narrative structure. The reverse storytelling style adds an extra layer of intrigue, making you constantly reevaluate what you thought you knew about the characters and their motivations. It's a puzzle that slowly comes together, rewarding readers with a satisfyingly unconventional reading experience.
The snarky narrator provides a witty and humorous commentary on the unfolding events, adding an element of dark humor to the story. The clever commentary keeps you engaged and invested in the narrative, even as it unravels in reverse.
In this parallel world, where magic is not rare but is incredibly silly sometimes, the author masterfully crafts a tale that challenges conventional notions of right and wrong. This is a story that will linger in your mind long after you've turned the final page, leaving you with a sense of wonder and a newfound appreciation for the power of storytelling.
If you're in the mood for a spellbinding read that defies convention, this is an absolute must-read. You will be hooked until the very end.
Claire doesn't fit neatly into any traditional archetype, which makes her character all the more fascinating. Her morally ambiguous actions and decisions keep you guessing, forcing you to question your own judgments.
What truly sets this book apart is its unique narrative structure. The reverse storytelling style adds an extra layer of intrigue, making you constantly reevaluate what you thought you knew about the characters and their motivations. It's a puzzle that slowly comes together, rewarding readers with a satisfyingly unconventional reading experience.
The snarky narrator provides a witty and humorous commentary on the unfolding events, adding an element of dark humor to the story. The clever commentary keeps you engaged and invested in the narrative, even as it unravels in reverse.
In this parallel world, where magic is not rare but is incredibly silly sometimes, the author masterfully crafts a tale that challenges conventional notions of right and wrong. This is a story that will linger in your mind long after you've turned the final page, leaving you with a sense of wonder and a newfound appreciation for the power of storytelling.
If you're in the mood for a spellbinding read that defies convention, this is an absolute must-read. You will be hooked until the very end.
January 8, 2024
This book is heartbreaking, intense, suspenseful, and tragic- and I loved it.
The story is about a world filled with magic and centers around the Zaro, an all powerful witch. The current Zaro, Reiki, is training her protege, Ozarik, to be the next Zaro. In this world, there is only one Zaro born at a time.
Except this time, there's another. And her name is Claire.
We move in two perspectives throughout the story- when Ozarik and Claire were growing up, and the days before death stopped. Because there is a reason death was stopped in the world, and you'll need to read more to find out what happened.
This really should have been proofread better though, as I found a LOT of problems that should've been fixed before being published. But other than that, this was a fascinating book written with two different plot points merging back and forth until you reach the climax...one that we actually reach in the first chapter. Then we move back and forth to see how we got here.
It's something I've seen before, but it's always clever to me when the author writes the story this way and manages to keep it where the reader doesn't get confused along the way.
The characters are all really well fleshed out and make you feel for them. I definitely teared up here and there reading and discovering all that they'd been through.
I tore through this book. It takes a long time for me to find books that really resonate with me after I finish them like this. So I'll be recommending this book to a lot of people from now on.
The story is about a world filled with magic and centers around the Zaro, an all powerful witch. The current Zaro, Reiki, is training her protege, Ozarik, to be the next Zaro. In this world, there is only one Zaro born at a time.
Except this time, there's another. And her name is Claire.
We move in two perspectives throughout the story- when Ozarik and Claire were growing up, and the days before death stopped. Because there is a reason death was stopped in the world, and you'll need to read more to find out what happened.
This really should have been proofread better though, as I found a LOT of problems that should've been fixed before being published. But other than that, this was a fascinating book written with two different plot points merging back and forth until you reach the climax...one that we actually reach in the first chapter. Then we move back and forth to see how we got here.
It's something I've seen before, but it's always clever to me when the author writes the story this way and manages to keep it where the reader doesn't get confused along the way.
The characters are all really well fleshed out and make you feel for them. I definitely teared up here and there reading and discovering all that they'd been through.
I tore through this book. It takes a long time for me to find books that really resonate with me after I finish them like this. So I'll be recommending this book to a lot of people from now on.
April 19, 2025
I picked up the audiobook just because Moira Quirk narrated it. I didn't realize until after I began (without looking at the synopsis or anything) that it was by the same author as Can't Spell Treason Without Tea, and wow these books are quite different. In that book it felt like things just kind of happened to some fairly bland characters, and the character reactions seemed overblown, but this book is all about the people and the people are complicated.
The chapters jump all over the place in chronological order for maximum character development impact. Just barely after getting a sense of who the characters are in the present, you dive back to the past to see what external factors shaped their internal structure which leads to the decisions they make that flow directly into their present problems. Everyone is a little bit messy and misguided, but you can see exactly why and hope that they will grow enough to dig themselves out of the holes they've dug.
So, yeah, I really enjoyed all the character work and I was very impressed by how rounded and consistent it was. That was great, and for me that was the main draw to keep reading even though the magical plot was also pretty cool and suspenseful.
Content Warnings:
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Death, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism, Body horror, Gun violence, Violence, Alcohol
The chapters jump all over the place in chronological order for maximum character development impact. Just barely after getting a sense of who the characters are in the present, you dive back to the past to see what external factors shaped their internal structure which leads to the decisions they make that flow directly into their present problems. Everyone is a little bit messy and misguided, but you can see exactly why and hope that they will grow enough to dig themselves out of the holes they've dug.
So, yeah, I really enjoyed all the character work and I was very impressed by how rounded and consistent it was. That was great, and for me that was the main draw to keep reading even though the magical plot was also pretty cool and suspenseful.
Content Warnings:
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Death, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism, Body horror, Gun violence, Violence, Alcohol
May 5, 2024
“He was done living in fear, mourning his inaction as death happened around him. He would never lose her again. Whether she agreed was irrelevant.” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A cozy urban fantasy that starts at the end (the day death stopped) and takes us back through time with a sassy narrator leading the way? Hehe yes please!
The Day Death Stopped is such an unconventionally unique journey, that it is hard to put into words. It’s like mixing together the moral energy of VE Schwab’s Vicious, the tragedy of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, the prose and magical history narration of Starling House, and the humor of classic Douglas Adams and Neil Gaiman (think Good Omens).
In a world similar to our own (only with witches living openly and in harmony with humans) there is always one magical leader born into great power, the Zaro. That is, until there are suddenly two. Ozarik and Claire are two sides of the same coin, sharing their magic abilities - but the magical world believes there can only ever be one Zaro. Being partners, best friends, and forever competition causes conflict between Claire and Ozarik - but he will never lose her. No matter what. 👀
Magical. Witty. Poignant. Emotional. I just loved it! 🖤
CW: child abuse and death of a parent. Be kind to yourselves. ♥️
A cozy urban fantasy that starts at the end (the day death stopped) and takes us back through time with a sassy narrator leading the way? Hehe yes please!
The Day Death Stopped is such an unconventionally unique journey, that it is hard to put into words. It’s like mixing together the moral energy of VE Schwab’s Vicious, the tragedy of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, the prose and magical history narration of Starling House, and the humor of classic Douglas Adams and Neil Gaiman (think Good Omens).
In a world similar to our own (only with witches living openly and in harmony with humans) there is always one magical leader born into great power, the Zaro. That is, until there are suddenly two. Ozarik and Claire are two sides of the same coin, sharing their magic abilities - but the magical world believes there can only ever be one Zaro. Being partners, best friends, and forever competition causes conflict between Claire and Ozarik - but he will never lose her. No matter what. 👀
Magical. Witty. Poignant. Emotional. I just loved it! 🖤
CW: child abuse and death of a parent. Be kind to yourselves. ♥️
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